Writing emails is easy. It doesn’t take much time. There shouldn’t be anything new about emails, so
why even bother writing about them?
That’s right. It’s not a new thing. Still everyone can get better in communicating by email.
Recently I have been thinking a lot about writing emails. Firstly, it’s difficult to figure out the perfect
subject line and summarize the nature of your email in as few words as possible. Secondly, it can be
hard to make yourself understood correctly.
Emails are challenging:
subject line and summarize the nature of your email in as few words as possible. Secondly, it can be
hard to make yourself understood correctly.
Emails are challenging:
- Some messages are too long. It feels like the writer doesn’t get to the point, or you have to figure out the important information yourself.
- Messages can also be too short. Additional questions are needed to figure out what the sender wants to say.
- Emails can be sent at the wrong time. The right timing can be very important. It might not be the best idea to send emails when people are off duty. If there is no hurry to send and email, it can be more effective to send it a bit later.
- Usually emails need some follow up.
- Sometimes face-to-face communication would be more effective. It’s always not possible, when people are located in different places.
The interesting thing is, that emails can be easily misunderstood. Instead of sending an email too soon,
it could be important to read it one more time.
it could be important to read it one more time.
Usually it’s nobody’s intention to write a rude email. It can be avoided by trying to think about how the
receiver will understand the message. The tone in emails can be negative or commanding unintentio- nally. Human communication can fail.
receiver will understand the message. The tone in emails can be negative or commanding unintentio- nally. Human communication can fail.
The observation about how easily communication fails, was made by Professor Osmo Antero Wiio
in 1978. The fundamental Wiio's law states that "Communication usually fails, except by accident".
According to Wiio, a message, that can be interpreted in several ways, will be interpreted in a manner that
maximizes the damage.
in 1978. The fundamental Wiio's law states that "Communication usually fails, except by accident".
According to Wiio, a message, that can be interpreted in several ways, will be interpreted in a manner that
maximizes the damage.
I think Wiio is quite right. What would he have said about email communication? That's even harder
other forms of communication. Emails shouldn’t be the only way we communicate. Real conversations
are important.
other forms of communication. Emails shouldn’t be the only way we communicate. Real conversations
are important.
“Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing.
If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part
of your life.”
— Brian Tracy
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